The crowd's cheers still echoed in the grand arena as Mikaela stepped off the battleground, her victory over Harmon fresh in her mind. She felt a mix of triumph and exhaustion, but her thoughts were already shifting next challenge. "Next up, I am up against Him."
As she walked through the corridors of the arena, she spotted Kael, the enigmatic rookie known for his unmatched firepower and stoic demeanour.
The obstacle on her path to the top.
Kael stood alone, his back against the stone wall, arms crossed. His piercing eyes seemed to see everything and nothing at once. Mikaela approached him, her heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and determination. She had heard tales of his prowess and the mystery that surrounded him, and now she
wanted to know more.
"Kael," Mikaela began, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves. "I have heard much about you. And in your recent fight, you were impressive against a person who can nullify magic of any kind. I wish to know you better… More importantly, I wish to know how our paths cross."
Kael's gaze shifted to her, his expression unreadable, which is to be expected because looking at Mikaela is like talking to Mickey's corpse. For a moment there was silence, the weight of his scrutiny heavy in the air. Then he spoke, his voice calm and measured. "If you wish to know me, Mikaela, you must prove
yourself. Win against me in battle. Currently, you have her body and face, but you might be nothing but a copy of her. Win against me and I will look at you in the eye."
Mikaela felt a thrill of excitement and challenge at his words. She nodded, her resolve hardening. "I accept your challenge, Kael. I will crush you and make you see me."
Kael's lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Very well. Prepare yourself, Mikaela. Our battle will be unlike any you have faced before… A last dance of ice and fire…"
With that, he turned away, leaving Mikaela with a sense of anticipation and determination. She knew that the path to knowing Kael would be difficult, but she was ready to face whatever trails lay ahead. The promise of their future battle hung in the air, a silent testament to the journey that awaited them both.
Within the walls of Motherland, at the highest spot in the arena, was Supreme Commander Harold.
Behind him was Neith, the sharp-eyed and cunning strategist. Her suspicions had been growing for quite some time, and now she was determined to confront him.
Harold looked up as Neith approached him, his expression calm and composed. "Neith," he greeted her with a nod. "What brings you here? The last round should commence after the rookies have been patched up by the medical unit."
Neith's eyes narrowed slightly as she approached him, her voice steady but laced with an edge of suspicion. "Harold, I have some concerns that I need to address with you. There have been too many coincidence lately. A single coincidence gives me a sleepless night, you can imagine what multiple
coincidences would do to me. Too many plans have gone awry. I can't help but wonder if there is a traitor among us. In fact, I am sure that there is a traitor among us… I just don't have a name."
Harold's expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes –was it surprise, or something else? "A traitor? That's a serious accusation, Neith. Do you have any idea what that would mean for the ANTs?"
Neith leaned forward, her gaze unwavering. "I have no concrete proof, but the patterns are too consistent to ignore, the Dark Saints are always ahead, no one is that smart. Information that only a few of us knew was leaked to our enemies. And you, Harold have been at the center of every strategic meeting. I need to know where your loyalties lie."
Harold's face hardened, and he stood up, towering over Neith. "YOU DARE ACCUSE ME OF TREASON?"
The air at the top got so tight that those who had weak lung would suffocate and drop dead.
He lowered his voice, "Careful Neith, you too were present at those meetings. As far as I am concerned, you might be a traitor, feeding us false information. After all, your strategies have been failing us in this lifetime. Is it that you got reincarnated as a pathetic dumbass in this life?"
Neith couldn't help but to react with emotions, dumping logic, "You know very well that I am unable to betray humanity. At the end of the day, I am trapped in this world as a tool for you all… AND NOW YOU DARE TO INSULT ME, do you, HAROLD?"
Her face turned red from the anger, Harold had crossed the line. Though Neith was little and physically weak, she was ready to fight Harold and she was confident that she would come out on top.
For a strong moment, there was silence, the tension between them palpable. Then Harold sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Very well, Neith. I am not a spy and until you believe that, I will tell you everything I do, I will even help you find the real spy. And if and when you, I will personally eradicate them."
Neith nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I understand, Harold. Let's find the truth together."
It is fine, Harold. I can keep you close for now. I don't fully trust you and when I find the tiniest evidence
that suggests that you are a spy, no matter how small it is, I will kill you myself… In the end, you insulted
my life and my past lives.